The Fraser Valley’s Cozens Ranch House has new events coordinator

Janice Peterson, of Winter Park, is the new events coordinator at Cozens Ranch House between Winter Park and Fraser.

Peterson moved to Winter Park 26 years ago from Minnesota. She has two children, Jamie, 11, and Jeremy, 8.

1. What made you want to take this position with Cozens?

One reason was economical ” I needed a job where I can work around my children’s schedule, and that’s going to be year-round. Secondly, I love Grand County history. I’m just so thrilled to be working someplace where I can be connected to it.

2. What is your background with this type of work?

I’ve always liked history ” since high school. I read a lot about the history of this area, so it’s just something I’ve always been interested in.

3. Any books you recommend?

Doc Susie. Island in the Rockies. And we have a book here called Haps and Mishaps, written by one of the daughters of Cozens ” it’s her diary actually. Mary Elizabeth Cozens. She’s the youngest daughter. The Cozens Ranch was a stagecoach stop, a family residence, and the first post office.

3. What do you love most about this job so far?

Everything I’ve learned. I get to share the knowledge I have with other people.

4. Any new ideas for Cozens?

Some new lace curtains. (Laughs). But besides that, I’m going to do everything I can to make locals aware of this place. There are locals that don’t even know where this is. I want to educate the public so they can recommend it to the tourists and so on.

5. Is it true Cozens Ranch is haunted?

Where did you hear that? (Thinks) I have a baby monitor ” that’s how I know (people are here). You hear noises, and you look around and there’s nobody here. So I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s haunted. But I feel they are friendly spirits. I really feel good when I’m in here ” I don’t know how else to put it.

6. What is your typical day like?

It’s winter time, so it’s slow. I give tours when people come in. Right now I’m working on getting gift certificates for bingo night Feb. 22 in Kremmling. It’s through the Grand County historical association. It’s to get people from that end of the Valley to this end.

7. What kind of events does the museum do?

We’re going to have a tea. Eventually I want to do an old-fashioned barn dance, like they did in Doc Susie’s day. A potluck, square dancing ” I would like to have some kind of event like that. And I haven’t set a date yet, but I’m going to have day for local businesses to come in for free, so they can see it and recommend it to people.

8. Why do you feel the museum is important to the community?

Especially with all the growth we’re experiencing and all the new people coming in, it’s easy to forget the charm, and the history of this place. It’s easy to get swallowed up. I think it’s important that people do know. There’s that saying: Those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it. You should learn from the past.